General information
Doxycycline is one of the so-called broad spectrum antibiotics and belongs to the subgroup of tetracyclines. It is used to treat bacterial infections with Gram-positive, Gram-negative and cell-wall-free bacteria. Originally, the tetracyclines were produced by Streptomyces fungi. In the meantime, however, they can be produced by partially synthetic modification of the natural molecules.
Mode of action
Doxycycline inhibits the ribosomal protein biosynthesis of bacteria. In this way, like all antibiotics of the tetracyclines, it prevents the aminoacyl RNA from binding to the acceptor site of the ribosomes. This stops the extension of the polypeptide chains of the bacteria and prevents the bacteria from multiplying. Doxycycline thus has a bacteriostatic effect, which means that it can prevent the bacteria from multiplying, but has a non-lethal effect on already existing bacteria.
Application
Doxycycline is mainly used for bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, e.g. acute attacks of chronic bronchitis (bronchial inflammation) and pneumonia (pneumonia) caused by mycoplasma, rickettsia and chlamydia. In cases of sinusitis and otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear), doxycycline can also be used in the ear, nose and throat area. It can also be used to treat infections of the urogenital tract such as urethritis (often caused by chlamydia) and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). For infections of the gastrointestinal tract, Doxycycline is effective against cholera pathogens, Yersinia and Campylobacter. Doxycycline is also used in dermatology, where it is used to treat acne vulgaris, rosacea and the skin signs of Lyme disease.
Side effects
If doxycycline is taken, it can cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Sometimes pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), vomiting or other gastrointestinal complaints also occur as side effects. In some cases, hypersensitivity reactions to doxycycline have also been observed, which can lead to facial edema, swelling of the tongue and throat, breathing difficulties and shock. The group of tetracyclines, to which doxycycline also belongs, shows cross-allergies.
